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STATEMENT  OF  PLAN 


FOR  REARRANGEMENT  OF 


COPLEY  SQUARE 

BY 

C.  HOWARD  WALKER 


^^^^^ 


mm. 


BOSTON 
MUNICIPAL  PRINTING  OFFICE 
1907 


STATEMENT  OF  PLAN 


.    FOK  KEAURAXGKMENT  OF 


COPLEY  SQUARE 

BY 

C.  HOWARD  WALKER 


BOSTON 
MUNICIPAL  FEINTING  OFFICE 
1907 


REARRANGEMENT  OF  COPLEY  SQUARE. 


In  the  year  1892  there  was  a  rumor  that  a  design  for  the 
embellishment  of  Copley  square  was  contemplated  in  which 
would  be  incorporated  a  number  of  equestrian  statues.  The 
Boston  Society  of  Architects  considered  that  any  such 
contemplated  scheme  should  receive  careful  attention,  and 
instituted  a  competition  amongst  its  members  and  other 
architects  for  this  project,  and  appointed  Prof.  F.  W. 
Chandler  and  Mr.  E.  M.  Wheelwright  as  judges.  There 
were  a  number  of  designs  submitted,  and  the  design  placed 
first  by  Mr.  C.  Howard  Walker  was  in  all  important  respects 
the  one  now  under  consideration. 

There  was  a  design  by  Mr.  Arthur  Rotch  placed  second, 
in  which  a  sunken  garden  occupied  the  centre  of  the  square, 
which  was  extremely  attractive,  but,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
judges,  interfered  with  direct  lines  of  traffic  across  the 
square.  The  character  of  this  design,  however,  so  com- 
mended itself  to  the  Society  of  Architects  that  they  desired 
a  sort  of  referendum  in  regard  to  the  merits  of  the  designs, 
and  all  were  placed  on  exliibition  in  the  Art  Club  Gallery, 
and  visitors  expressed  their  choice  by  ballot.  By  this  popu- 
lar vote  Mr.  Rotch's  design  was  placed  first  and.  Mr. 
Walker's  second,  and  both  architects  were  instructed  to  col- 
laborate and  produce  a  design  incorporating,  if  possible,  the 
be«t  ideas  of  each,  an  extremely  difficult  task,  as  the  two 
designs  were  of  absolutely  different  character.  Various 
attempts  were  made  both  before  and  after  the  death  of  Mr. 
Rotch,  and  finally  the  sunken  garden  was  abandoned  because 
of  the  original  objection,  i.  e.,  that  it  interrupted  circulation, 
and  the  first  design  reappeared  with  slight  changes.  The 
entire  conception  of  this  design  was  influenced  by  the  desire 


4 


to  make  the  square  symmetrical  in  plan,  with  its  axes  coin- 
cident with  those  of  the  Library  and  the  Museum  of  Fine 
Arts,  and  to  provide  planted  areas  which  should  indicate 
this  hitention,  at  the  same  time  that  they  created  direct  ave- 
nues for  traffic,  both  around  and  across  the  square. 

The  idea  of  paving  the  entire  square  was  abandoned  on 
account  of  radiation  of  heat  and  the  annoyance  from  dust 
from  so  large  a  surface,  and  also  that  so  large  an  area  with- 
out islands  for  the  protection  of  pedestrians  from  vehicles 
crossing  in  all  directions  is  inadvisable.  The  paving  of  the 
avenues  proposed  across  the  square  may  be  made  in  patterns 
to  further  increase  the  effect  of  the  surface. 

The  treatment  of  the  triangular  spaces  in  Copley  square 
requires,  in  addition  to  the  grassed  area,  a  careful  selection  of 
shrubs  and  small  trees  grouped  at  the  angles  of  the  spaces. 
These  are  not  to  be  of  a  height  to  obstruct  the  views  of  either 
the  Public  Library  or  of  Trinity  Church,  but  sufficiently 
high  to  accent  the  boundaries  of  the  triangles  and  to  increase 
the  effect  of  distances.  The  trees  are  not  to  be  isolated,  but 
the  foliage  is  to  be  massed  and  form  backgrounds  or  what- 
ever ornamentation  of  the  square  may  be  desired,  whether  of 
seats,  fountains,  or  decorated  sculpture.  Contrasts  of  low 
masses  of  foliage  of  rounded  silhouette  with  the  vertical 
lines  of  other  trees  is  desirable.  The  selection  and  disposi- 
tion of  such  masses  require  careful  attention,  both  on  account 
of  the  profiles  of  the  trees  and  the  variation  of  their  color. 
Hawthorn,  rhododendrons,  and  others  with  equally  low 
spreading  masses  can  be  contrasted  with  those  having  a  more 
vertical  character.  It  is  probable  that  flower  beds  will  be 
undesirable. 

The  intention  of  the  treatment  of  the  square  is  twofold : 
First,  to  bring  it  into  symmetrical  relation  with  the  build- 
ings around  it,  and  to  announce  that  relation  not  only  in  plan, 
but  in  appearance  in  perspective,  and  to  define  the  lines  of 
the  transit  of  all  vehicles  across  the  square ;  in  fact,  to  deter- 
mine the  lines  of  circulation  within  its  boundaries,  so  that 
they  may  not  be  of  so  great  an  area  that  there  is  danger  to 
pedestrians  in  crossmg.  To  properly  announce  the  formal 
disposition  of  the  axes  and  the  enclosed  spaces,  something 


ROUGH    DRAWING    OF  COPLEY    SQUARE    UNDER    THE    SCHEME    OF    BETTERMENT    PROPOSED    BY    C     HOWARD  WALKER. 


5 


more  than  flat  surface  treatment  is  essential,  either  by  balus- 
trades and  monumental  lamps  or  by  masses  of  foliage,  and 
if  possible  by  all  three.  And  to  avoid  the  confusion  arising 
from  the  transit  in  all  directions  of  vehicles  across  a  large 
area,  certain  portions  must  be  protected  to  afford  refuge  to 
pedestrians,  and  these  portions  have  been  arranged  symmet- 
rically to  enhance  the  effect  of  the  square  and  of  its  sur- 
rounding buildings. 


STREET   ARRANGEMENT,    COPLEY   SQUARE,    UNDER    THE    PROPOSED    PLANS   OF    BETTERMENT    BY   C.    HOWARD  WALKER. 


« 


8 


Boston,  November  15,  1905. 

James  Beaumont  Noyes,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — I  send  you  copy  of  correspondence  with  Mayor 
Quincy  in  1898  and  1899,  relating  to  a  plan  for  the  laying  out  of 
Copley  square.  The  Art  Commission  at  that  time  recommended 
a  plan,  the  original  of  which  is  on  file  at  the  City  Hall,  and  a 
blue  print  of  which  (under  date  of  March  25,  1899)  is  herewith 
forwarded. 

There  is  also  an  estimate  of  the  expense  of  the  carrying  out  of 
this  plan,  made  by  Albert  A.  Libby  &  Co.,  12  Federal  street, 
dated  February  18,  1899,  copy  of  which  is  also  enclosed. 

In  addition,  I  may  say  that  I  called  the  matter  to  the  attention 
of  the  present  Art  Commissioners  at  their  last  meeting,  held 
November  13  ;  and  while  no  formal  action  was  taken,  they  inti- 
mated informally  an  approval  of  a  rearrangement  on  the  general 
lines  shown  by  the  blue  print.  The  triangular  spaces  are  to  be 
planted  with  trees  or  shrubs. 

The  original  correspondence  is  on  file  at  the  City  Hall. 

I  should  like  this  blue  print  back  when  you  are  through  with  it. 

Yours  very  truly, 
(Signed)  Samuel  D.  Wajiren, 

Chairman  Art  Commission. 


Boston,  October  25,  1898. 

Arthur  A.  Carey,  Esq., 

Secretary  Board  of  Art  Commissioners  : 
Dear  Sir,  —  I  have  given  more  or  less  attention  at  different 
times  to  the  matter  of  laying  out  Copley  square  in  some  different 
and  more  artistic  manner.  As  you  may  be  aware,  a  plan  for  this 
purpose  was  prepared  two  or  three  years  ago,  and  I  think  that 
your  fellow-member,  Mr.  Walker,  had  something  to  do  with  it.  I 
have  understood,  also,  from  Mr.  Prince,  President  Public  Library 
Trustees,  that  some  architect  had  prepared  another  plan  of  a  less 
expensive  character  to  carry  out  for  their  Board.  I  should  like 
very  much  to  see  something  done  on  this  matter  next  spring  and 
the  appropriation  obtained  from  the  new  Board  of  Apportionment 
which  will  meet  in  January  or  February.  As  this  is  really  an 
artistic  question  and  therefore  comes  within  the  general  scope  of 


9 


the  duties  of  your  Board,  if  not  within  its  legal  powers,  I  desire 
to  ask  your  Board  to  familiarize  itself  with  what  has  heretofore 
been  proposed,  and  to  take  up  this  matter  and  make  some  definite 
recommendation  to  me,  with  plans  and,  if  possible,  estimates. 

Yours  respectfully, 

JOSIAH  QUINCY, 

Mayor, 

Boston,  February  18,  1899. 

Messrs.  Walker  &  Kimball  : 

Gentlemen,  —  We  estimate  the  cost  of  paving  Copley  square 
to  be  forty-seven  (47)  thousand  dollars.  This  includes  a  double 
row  of  North  River  flagging  around  the  square,  eight  (8)  catch- 
basins  and  all  filling  necessary  for  a  crown  of  two  (2)  feet. 

We  also  estimate  the  cost  of  the  edgestones,  circular  edge- 
stones  and  the  walks  laid  with  granolithic  pavement,  the  sum  of 
four  (4)  thousand  dollars.  This  does  not  include  any  catch- 
basins  that  may  be  necessary,  which  may  be  built  at  a  cost  of 
one  (1)  hundred  dollars  each;  nor  does  it  include  any  gutters, 
which  may  be  laid  at  a  cost  of  one  (1)  dollar  per  linear  foot, 
three  (3)  feet  and  six  (6)  inches  wide. 

Respectfully  yours, 

(Signed)  Albert  A.  Libby  &  Co. 


ART  COMMISSION, 
64  Pemberton  Sq. 

Boston,  April  10,  1899. 

The  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy, 

Mayor  of  the  City  of  Boston  : 
Dear  Sir,  —  I  beg  to  inform  you  that  at  their  meeting  this 
afternoon  the  Art  Commission  passed  the  following  vote  : 

Voted,  That,  in  response  to  a  letter  from  His  Honor  the 
Mayor,  dated  October  25,  1898,  the  plan  heretofore  considered 
by  the  Commission  for  parking  Copley  square  be  recommended 
for  execution." 

Respectfully  yours, 

Arthur  A.  Carey, 

/Secretary. 


10 


On  June  8,  1906,  Mr.  Walker's  plan  for  the  betterment  of 
Copley  square  was  formally  presented  to  His  Honor  Mayor 
John  F.  Fitzgerald,  by  the  Executive  Committee  and  other 
members  of  the  Metropolitan  Improvement  League.  The 
committee  approving,  commending,  and  urgently  requesting 
the  final  adoption  of  Mr.  Walker's  plan,  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  Art  Commission  in  the  City  of  Boston,  con- 
sisted of  Robert  Apthorp  Boit,  President;  George  Howland 
Cox,  Secretary ;  Sylvester  Baxter,  Meyer  Bloomfield,  J.  R. 
Coolidge,  Jr.,  Charles  E.  Fay,  James  J.  Storrow,  and  James 
B.  Noyes.  Frederick  L.  Olmsted,  a  member  of  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  League,  and  Hon.  Josiah  Quincy,  while 
unable  to  be  present  to  meet  the  Mayor,  expressed  their 
entire  approval  in  the  plan  for  the  proposed  betterment  of 
Copley  square.  The  League,  by  the  members  present, 
included  representatives  from  the  Twentieth  Century  Club, 
Boston  Society  of  Architects,  Massachusetts  Civic  League, 
and  unofficially  the  Museum  of  Fine  Arts.  One  of  the 
League's  self-imposed  duties  is  to  encourage  and  safeguard 
the  physical  growth  of  Boston  as  a  metropolitan  community 
along  well-considered  and  well-planned  lines,  that  shall 
assure  the  largest  possible  measure  of  convenient  and  artistic 
development. 

The  Copley-square  betterment  seemed  a  singularly  proper 
opportunity  for  endeavor  by  the  League.  Its  list  of  mem- 
bers include : 

Life  Members :  I.  Tucker  Burr,  Arthur  A.  Carey. 

Members:  Mrs.  Jere.  Abbott,  Charles  Francis  Adams,  2d, 
Robert  Day  Andrews,  S.  Read  Anthony,  Francis  Henry 
Appletou,  Samuel  Appleton,  Lewis  A.  Armistead,  William 
A.  Bancroft,  Sylvester  Baxter,  E.  Pierson  Beebe,  Francis 
Blake,  John  Balch  Blood,  Meyer  Bloomfield,  Robert  Apthorp 
Boit,  Louis  D.  Brandeis,  Edward  M.  Brewer,  S.  Brooks, 
John  A.  Burnham,  Harry  L.  Burrage,  Alfred  E.  Burton, 
Alfred  D.  Chandler,  Walter  G.  Chase,  Stephen  Child, 
William  W.  Churchill,  M.  L.  Cobb,  James  M.  Codman,  Jr., 
Richard  Codman,  Charles  A.  Coolidge,  J.  Randolph  Coolidge, 
J.  R.  Coolidge,  Jr.,  John  T.  Coolidge,  George  Howland  Cox, 
George  G.  Crocker,  Charles  P.  Curtis,  C.  H.  Dal  ton,  Samuel 


11 


B.  Dana,  Frank  A.  Day,  DeSales  Doonan,  George  B.  Dorr, 
William  Howe  Downes,  J.  Sumner  Draper,  Charles  W.  Eliot, 
William  Endicott,  Jr.,  Arthur  F.  Estabrook,  Charles  E.  Fay, 
Frank  M.  Ferrin,  Edward  W.  Forbes,  J.  Murray  Forbes, 
Percival  Gallagher,  George  A.  Gardner,  Edwin  (iinn,  Edward 
Glines,  William  R.  Gray,  Irving  T.  Guild,  Augustus  Heni- 
enway,  Edwin  A.  Hills,  Joshua  B.  Holden,  Frederic  B.  Hol- 
der, Robert  C.  Hooper,  Clement  S.  Houghton,  Charles  W. 
Hubbard,  William  C.  Hunneman,  William  Jackson,  Arthur 
S.  Johnson,  Walcott  H.  Johnson,  Stillman  F.  Kelley,  David 
P.  Kimball,  Charles  A.  King,  Rose  well  B.  Lawrence,  William 
Lawrence,  Joseph  Lee,  Henry  Lefavour,  John  Mason  Little, 
A.  W.  Longfellow,  William  Caleb  Loring,  A.  Lawrence 
Lowell,  Frederick  E.  Lowell,  Guy  Lowell,  Warren  H.  Man- 
ning, Laurence  Minot,  F.  S.  Moseley,  R.  Neagle,  James  B. 
Noyes,  Frederick  L.  Olmsted,  Jr.,  Robert  Treat  Paine, 
William  A.  Paine,  Herbert  Parker,  Frank  E.  Peabody, 
Robert  S.  Peabody,  S.  Endicott  Peabody,  D.  L.  Pickman, 
Wallace  L.  Pierce,  William  Taggard  Piper,  Thomas  G.  Plant, 
Laban  Pratt,  Henry  H.  Proctor,  Josiah  Quincy,  Charles  S. 
Rackemann,  William  H.  Richardson,  S.  W.  Rodman,  Denman 
W.  Ross,  George  O.  Sears,  Herbert  M.  Sears,  William  T. 
Sedgwick,  Philip  P.  Sharpies,  F.  C.  Shattuck,  David  N. 
Skillings,  Alvin  F.  Sortwell,  Frederic  P.  Stearns,  R.  H. 
Stearns,  James  J.  Storrow,  R.  Clipston  Sturgis,  J.  G.  Thorp, 
George  B.  Upham,  F.  H.  Viaux,  Arthur  W.  Walker,  C. 
Howard  Walker,  Grant  Walker,  J.  Collins  Warren,  Samuel 
D.  Warren,  Leslie  C.  Wead,  Andrew  Gray  Weeks,  George 
Wigglesworth. 


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